The RSNA's COVID-19 task force has published its list of best practices for radiology departments during the pandemic.
The goal of the guidance document is to protect healthcare workers and the general public from exposure and dissemination of COVID-19, while maintaining critical radiology functions and preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the task force.
"These guidelines apply in the setting of sufficient resource availability, and in the setting of a surge when resources are in short supply; mitigating steps and alternative approaches should be considered to provide the best care for patients while protecting all [healthcare workers]," wrote the authors led by Dr. Mahmud Mossa-Basha of the University of Washington in Seattle.
The guidelines cover the following topics:
- Radiology elective imaging
- COVID-19 suspected or confirmed case precautions
- PPE for staff
- Postimaging room cleaning
- Patient screening for COVID-19
- Chest imaging in COVID-19
- Imaging in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
- Elective procedure cancellations
- Pregnancy and COVID-19
- Meetings
- Radiologist workflows
- Screening, evaluation, and healthcare worker return-to-work criteria
- Formation of a radiology crisis management team/task force
- Social distancing within radiology
- Staff engagement and well-being
